it is not proper

USAGE SUMMARY

'It is not proper' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone is expressing an opinion about the acceptability of behavior or a situation. For example: "It is not proper to discuss someone's salary in a public forum."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Hasnain told the magazine last week that "it is not proper for IPCC to include references from popular magazines or newspapers".

The Guardian

She cautioned, however, that "it is not proper to set up evolutionary and social causation as opposites," adding, "You have to think about how they work together".

The New York Times - Books

It is not proper for them to speak".

The New York Times

"In a time like this, it is not proper to demand information and transparency".

The New York Times

"However, as this matter is now before the court, it is not proper to comment further".

The New York Times

That can often be hugely entertaining, but it is not proper friendship.

Independent

"We need to use proper footballs otherwise it is not proper football".

The Guardian - Sport

"I think it is not proper to single Chinese swimmers out once they produce good results.

The Guardian - Sport

Therefore it is not proper to use the point kinetics based model for control system design and verification.

Nuclear Engineering and Design

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

It isn't proper journalism.

Vice

So what if it isn't "proper," mainstream or has never been done before.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and formality of the situation when using "it is not proper". More formal settings may benefit from this phrasing, while informal contexts might prefer simpler alternatives.

Common error

Avoid using "it is not proper" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler phrases like "that's not okay" or "that's not right" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is not proper" functions as a declarative statement expressing disapproval or unsuitability. It conveys a judgment about something not meeting expected standards or norms. Ludwig examples show its use in diverse contexts ranging from ethical concerns to etiquette.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is not proper" is a versatile phrase used to express disapproval or unsuitability, as validated by Ludwig. It is grammatically sound and frequently appears in news, scientific literature, and formal business contexts. The phrase conveys a judgment about something failing to meet established norms or expectations and its neutral to formal tone makes it suitable for serious discussions. Ludwig AI confirms that it is used to express opinions about acceptability in different situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is inappropriate

Replaces 'proper' with 'inappropriate', directly conveying the unsuitability of something.

it is unsuitable

Substitutes 'proper' with 'unsuitable', emphasizing the lack of fitness for a purpose or situation.

it is not acceptable

Replaces 'proper' with 'acceptable', highlighting the lack of approval or permissibility.

it is not right

Uses 'right' instead of 'proper', focusing on the moral or ethical aspect of inappropriateness.

it is not fitting

Replaces 'proper' with 'fitting', suggesting something doesn't align with expectations or standards.

it is out of order

Replaces the entire phrase with an idiom, conveying that something is not following rules or etiquette.

it is not the done thing

Uses a British idiom, indicating something is socially unacceptable or unconventional.

that is not on

Employs informal slang to express disapproval or unacceptability.

it is not ethical

Focuses specifically on the ethical dimension, implying a violation of moral principles.

it is against etiquette

Indicates a breach of social norms or formal rules of behavior.

FAQs

What does "it is not proper" mean?

The phrase "it is not proper" means something is inappropriate, unsuitable, or against established standards of etiquette or morality. It suggests a deviation from what is considered acceptable behavior or practice.

When should I use the phrase "it is not proper"?

Use "it is not proper" in formal settings, professional writing, or when discussing matters of ethics or etiquette. Consider alternatives like "it is inappropriate" or "it is unsuitable" for more casual situations.

What are some synonyms for "it is not proper"?

Alternatives to "it is not proper" include "it is not appropriate", "it is not acceptable", "it is unsuitable", or "it is not right". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of formality desired.

Is "it is not proper" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it is not proper" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English sentence structure and is widely used in both writing and speech. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.